craft

Having left my old place of work at the end of last year and currently looking for something new I’ve decided to take the chance to learn some new skills, and something I’ve always wanted to do is learn a bit more about photoshop.

Remember this post? where I talked about making the bag from the kit that came with the Cath Kidston book, Sew? Well, Dave challenged me to make a collage out of the images – I’m quite proud of it actually, as a first attempt it isn’t too bad!

I want to make a few more banners and things for the blog, and may even try my hand at a design for the very top, so keep your eyes open.

The list goes on and on and I’ve probably spent a fair bit of money on various craft pursuits… I think it is because I need a creative outlet. I think this is also why I like love stationery so much.

But I constantly find myself wanting to “make things”. I’m currently in sewing mode, and I’m actually going to have a go at quilting, something I’ve always been quite scared off, but I think I’ll really enjoy. I may even attempt to blog my journey in quilting/patchwork.

Do you have hobbies? What about making things? How do you channel your creativity?

As a part of my 30 by 30 challenge (an update soon!) I set myself the challenge of making a useable handbag.

I started with the bag kit that came with my Sew! book by Cath Kidston. I’m not very good at following instructions that are written down, but I went through this one step by step and I’m seriously proud of how it came out.

The only bit I messed up was the buttonhole, which was a rouleau (?) loop – I could not for the life of me work that out – so I sewed a couple of big poppers inside instead. I also sewed the straps to the bag permanently and used the buttons as decoration, rather than attempt buttonholes.

I’m really proud of it actually, and I’m going to use it, regularly. I’m also going to have a go at making it again, with different fabric, just to cement the techniques in my mind.

I’m really pleased with my little Saturday evening project. I bought a parasol to keep the sun off elegantly, but it’s a pain to carry when it’s down, so I set about creating a bag to carry it in, and these 2 pics show the result!

So today’s topic is “ladies choice” and having just heard the news that Norwich has been overlooked for City of Culture 2013 in favour of Derry, I thought I would take the time to tell you about some of my favourite parts of the city, and what makes it tick for me… So ladles and jellyspoons here goes!

(PS this will NOT be in rhyme!)

So, these are a few of my favourite places in Norwich (and the surrounding areas!)

I visited the British Library once, on an A Level trip, and was totally in awe of the place, I adore books, and libraries are very special to me. I’ve never been inside one which is quite as special as the Forum, not only is there a wonderful selection of books, and music and wonder, but there is so much information about Norwich and beyond. The big open space at the front plays host to salsa classes, comedy nights, craft fairs, and much more. BBC Look East comes from there, you can get pizza, coffee and music. It is a pretty special place and I don’t think I realise how special it is at times.

I first discovered the broad when I was a 3rd year at the UEA, a local friend took us there one sunny sunday afternoon. Whitlingham is (I believe) an old quarry, which is now full of water and home to some amazing wildlife. The walk around the great broad is about 3 miles and takes you alongside the river yare. There is also the mini broad, which is a bit like a lake with a beach, and is very serene to sit by. My old boss, Tracy (you should DEFINATELY read her blog!) and I had a team day there to gather our thoughts and find some direction. It was a wonderful experience and one I would definately repeat. Get out into nature, not in a touchy feely way, but let the office melt away, its amazing what you’ll achieve.

Most of the boys in my life adore the fat cat, and I have come to love it, though am not a real ale drinker (fruit wines though are a totally different kettle of fish! and those are very much available here!) and I’ve spent many a pleasant evening whiling away the hours with various groups of friends at the fat cat. It is also a little bit revered by many people in Norwich, and a bit of an old man’s pub. But I love it none the less.

Though technically not in Norwich, I wanted to include Wroxham barns because it makes me happy. Wroxham barns has 2 big appeals – animals and crafts! The animals part is a junior farm where you can go and get a bit hands on with the animals. Its for kids especially, but I’m a big kid really! We can’t wait to take J, our nephew for the day soon. There are also a whole bunch of craft shops and studios which I love to just go and immerse myself in, as well as shops selling local produce (including AMAZING fudge!) and products. There is also a funfair and crazy golf I think, but I’ve not been in that part.

And so, the list is by no means exhaustive, it’s just an off the top of my head list, I love the city I live in and it is nice to remind myself why. I think I’ll revisit this list again another time and add to it. In the meantime.. tell me, what places in your hometown do you love? Or have you been to Norwich? What do you love here?

So you know I make jewellery right? Well just recently I’ve come over all crafty licious! I’m dying to turn my hand to all sorts of new things, this doesn’t bode well for my bank balance, or my time, but it’s one of those things that happens to me every now and then.

So, I started off with my mini clipboards which I adore, and can’t wait to send one to Han in her next letter (it’s not a secret so I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing! My sister will also be getting one as part of her belated birthday presents. (again, not a secret!)

I’ve also been perusing loads of craft blogs – there are soooooo many ideas!

One of my favourites at the moment is dollar store crafts I’m a HUGE fan of the pound shop (our UK equivalent!) and am so jealous that they have so much cooler stuff in there dollar stores over in the States, but there are so many cool ideas of things to make whilst spending very little cash… check it out!

I’m also loving Chic’ n Scratch which I found whilst looking for coasters to decorate. The woman who runs it is amazing and also a stampin up consultant… Must… resist….stampin up…

Finally I love the UK Craft Forum for chatting with like minded UK based crafters, I’m sparklybec if you fancy finding me!

So hopefully look out for some new projects soon, and maybe I’ll even brave a tutorial at some point!

I’ve also booked in to do another craft fair in Norwich on 17th July! Fingers crossed this one goes well 🙂

So, it has been a while! We’re now into Day 27 of my 1001 day challenge, and where are we?

I think I can tick off number 2, Han has said that she will be my penpal, her first card and birthday present are winging their way to her as we speak.

I’ve got a few things that need to be done for the one a month things, including having a date with Dave, taking a photo of us together, my laptop regularly backs up, which means that one is on track too,

As for learning to drive, its ok, I’m desperate to book my test now, and then I’ll feel really good, but I still need a lot of practise, I’ll get there I’m sure, I just want to be there already!

I’m doing my first craft fair on 9th May:

I’m both nervous and excited, but need to get loads of stuff made, as currently I’m down to about 10 pairs of earrings! But I’ve got a day off on Friday, so will hopefully get some bits made then.

So this last Christmas my lovely dave got me a glass fusing kit. Since I’ve been making jewellery one of the things I’ve really wanted to do is make my own beads. This doesn’t quite do that, but it is a great starting point and this weekend we had a go…

I’ve made my very own pendant, and it is beautiful! I’m really pleased with it, and once I get the hang if it properly it’s going to take my jewellery making to a whole new level! I’m so excited and very grateful to my lovely dave.

It’s all done in the microwave and is really quite clever. The fusing itself doesn’t take long, thr most time consuming bit is waiting for it to anneal, it’s like cooking yorkshire puddings, you mustn’t open the door during that process!

And now, the reveal! Somewhere in this blog entry should be a picture of my first pendant!